Family Matters

[boldygoing]

There's a starship captain in the Plaza, sitting at an outdoor cafe style table which bears a half-consumed cup of coffee and a glowing, transparent datapad. Jim Kirk is not in uniform, clad in well-worn civilian clothes, though given that his shirt says PROPERTY OF STARFLEET ACADEMY in faded text, he's probably not trying to be covert. He's fairly focused on the datapad, and one might assume that he's catching up on reports or requisition forms during his off-hours if not for the quietly contemplative look on his face.

And, of course, the fact that he's chosen to take a break here rather than anywhere near Starfleet property.

His thoughts don't remain a mystery for long, as this does tend to be the place to go for advice, no matter how small the matter. "How's your relationship with your family? Have you ever tried to reconnect after spending years apart?"

There's an empty chair on the other side of the table. Feel free to have a seat, if you'd like.



[OOC: Tags don't seem to work, but dupes are okay!]

Comments

[boldygoing]

"Kind of," Jim agrees. It's not precisely the same, of course, but the diversity of species and life experiences is similar, anyway.

He can't speak from personal experience about war and its effect on faith, but he knows a little about individual tragedy influencing the same. Not anything he's willing to talk about - not even here, where Federation witness protection is probably pointless - but he can give a sympathetic ear. "I can imagine. People could get pushed to either extreme."

[chiron_survivor]

There's nothing like the Nexus. Aliens, magic, and alternate versions of yourself. It has it all.

"It's been oddly polarizing," she notes thoughtfully. "Having something in the Sacred Scrolls confirmed. The ultra religious use it as confirmation that everything in the Scrolls is true. But there are a lot of explanations for how the thirteenth tribe would be able to pass information on their location back to Kobol, when the Scrolls were written." She shrugs. "But it's been unifying, too. There were many people who wanted to give up searching for Earth, when we didn't have any proof. Now everyone's on board."

[boldygoing]

He nods a little as he listens. Something that unites an entire group of people to achieve a common goal, something for the benefit of the group as a whole, is an uncommon thing. But valuable. "Is there a plan for once you get there?"

[chiron_survivor]

"Um..."

That's a good question, Jim, She'd like to know that herself. "Ideally, they'll welcome us and we'll work together on a way to end the war with the Cylons. President Roslin and the quorum are working on the details..."

[boldygoing]

Ideally, she said. Well, if Earth has been lost to them for so long, he can understand the uncertainty. There could be anything waiting for them at the end of their journey.

Props to her for looking at the positive side of things, he supposes.

"Here's hoping you get there soon. It sounds like you've got your work cut out for you as it is."

[chiron_survivor]

"Thanks." It's either look at the positive side or worry herself crazy over what could go wrong. Not that she can't do both, Adia is an expert multitasker when it comes to her emotions. "I feel... not great about potentially bringing a way to the thirteenth tribe, but they're our last hope. The Sacred Scrolls describe Earth as a utopia of science and philosophy. That's probably an exaggeration -- but they have at least several decades on the rest of the colonies in terms of technology. They could have the solution."

Something in her pocket makes a quiet ding. She digs out a small electronic device and frowns at it softly. "Oh... I need to go." She gives him another smile. "It was very nice to meet you, Jim. Sorry for the earlier confusion... if, um, I mistake you for the other Jim the next time we meet, please don't hold it against me." They really do look identical, and despite dealing with clones on her world, she's not confident that she'll ever be able to tell the two apart at first glance.

[boldygoing]

He smiles back at her on reflex. "Don't worry about it. I'll figure out something for people to tell us apart... even if I've gotta grow a beard or something." It wasn't something he'd planned to do, but he's nothing if not adaptable.

Jim puts out his hand for a farewell handshake. "It really has been nice talking to you." Even if it wasn't the kind of conversation he expected, he certainly feels like his time has been well-invested, anyway.

[chiron_survivor]

"Oh... well, don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with..." There's the tiniest of nose wrinkles there. Jim has a nice face, he shouldn't cover it up with a beard. "The concept of alternates is explained in the pamphlets, people should be aware of that..."

She shakes his hand again. At least both Jims are friendly. She can approach either with a smile and not worry about offending anyone. "Nice talking to you, too. I'll see you around."

Her coffee has gone tepid, but she takes it with her anyway and drinks it as she heads off to wherever it is she needs to go.

[boldygoing]

Jim grins at her expression. "Sure, but there's no reason to make things harder than they've gotta be." And it's better to do something easily reversible, in the long run.

"See you around," he agrees, and turns his attention back to the datapad. Distractions or not, he still has papers to grade, and all the time in the multiverse to do it.